Stanton Hall and Cleveland Commons

Gifts to the Living at Whitman Initiative Help Serve Students and Build Community

In August 2018, 145 sophomores moved into the first new residence hall added to the Whitman campus in more than 45 years. Located between Anderson Hall and Mill Creek on the south end of campus, Stanton Hall is three stories, each with three section wings, for a total of nine sections with 15 to 18 students in single and divided-double rooms. Each section has a cooking area and lounge for its residents. Stanton Hall, with its variety of common areas and meeting spaces, quickly became a favorite place for students across class years to gather to socialize and study.

Across a large green space that features sand volleyball courts and a dining patio is Cleveland Commons. This marketplace-concept dining facility has multiple stations for a variety of foods and a café that is open extended hours. This bold and welcoming state-of-the-art dining facility provides various types of seating and multiple dining rooms for more than 500 students, staff, faculty and community members to gather together or collaborate over a meal.

ZGF Architects of Portland, Oregon designed Stanton Hall and Cleveland Commons to the specifications set forth by Whitman's Residence Life committee, which was informed by multiple studies of student needs. Stanton's homelike environment and Cleveland's varied meal and on-the-go options were top priorities. Throughout the process, the designs and construction were held to the highest possible standards of sustainability, utilizing sun shades, natural lighting and ventilation, LED lights, water conservation measures, and other means to reduce energy consumption. Stanton Hall has been certified by the U.S. Green Building Council as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) platinum level, and Cleveland Commons earned a gold rating.

Alumni, parents and friends of the College contributed more than $10.6 million toward this $40 million project, which has already transformed the residence life and dining experience on campus. As Whitman looks to the future, extending that sense of community and connectedness to more juniors and seniors is a top priority.

On behalf of the generations of students who will benefit from these facilities, thank you to all who supported the project!